June 8, 2014
Aurora had an unexpected visitor when the NP sent Yellowstone Class
Z-5 No. 5008 to participate in the Chicago Railroad Fair of 1948.
There is a lot more on the Web if you Google search Chicago Railroad
Fair.
The Q and NP routed the huge 2-8-8-4 type south from the Twin
Cities over the LaCrosse Division to Savanna and into Chicago. The inserted
image shows inbound 5008 posing in front of the Aurora Tower.
I'd like to hear opinions if the Yellowstone was routed from
Savanna over the C&I direct to Aurora, or IF due to clearances and/or weight
restrictions on bridges was routed instead Around The Horn via
either Galesburg or Mendota?
Also, considering that the NP would've sent a RFE with the Yellowstone to
instruct Q engine crews on its operation and servicing, how would the Q engine
crews have been paid? On engine weight?
I do not have a retirement date for 5008, but would suspect it had
been replaced by diesels and scrapped in the mid-to-late 1950s. No NP
Yellowstones were preserved. Best Regards - Louis
Louis Zadnichek II
Fairhope, AL
